Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Swift, Hinchcliffe, Miller, Jeffrey, Lewis and Amir Hussain.

There were no pecuniary interests declared by members at the meeting.

There were no items on the agenda requiring exclusion of the press and public.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October be approved.

As it was only the second meeting of the newly formed Place Panel the chair provided a review as to the purpose of the panel and how it aimed to work moving forward. The aim is for panel members to shape future agendas and to start discussions at an earlier stage of policy development and to directly influence the work of the CA. This included a consideration of issues around the spatial dimension of the Combined Authority’s work to shape policy towards land and infrastructure.

The Panel was provided with a presentation regarding the potential for placemaking to form a central contribution to the policy framework and the work of the Combined Authority.

It was noted that Placemaking was at Stage 1 allowing the Panel to feed in early thoughts. The presentation set out some key ambitions for placemaking in the Leeds City Region.

Panel discussed opportunities for funding and the role that the Combined Authority could play in that context. It was suggested that the Combined Authority could provide support at a more strategic level and help co-ordinate ambitions across the districts. It was also suggested that the Combined Authority could articulate a policy of ‘good places’ and promote examples to raise awareness and ambition. 

The Panel discussed what makes ‘great places’ and how to develop and promote successful placemaking across the City Region. Issues discussed included the maintenance of historic buildings, the possible role that business improvement districts could play in placemaking and the importance of attracting young professionals into town centres.  It was suggested that it would be beneficial for members of the Panel to visit exemplar projects of good placemaking.

Resolved:

(i)            That the place panel follow the presentation with a discussion.

(ii)          That it would be beneficial for members of the Panel to visit exemplar projects of good placemaking.

(iii)         That a further training workshop is to be organised for panel members led by the Urban Design Officer and consultants and post holder due to be appointed.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on emerging national housing and planning policy issues and their potential implications for the Leeds City Region.

The Panel was informed that the Government had published several policy documents with implications for housing and planning. The Panel was informed that a geographic target had been implemented against 5 funding programmes. The policy statement prioritised areas with the highest affordability pressure. These areas will receive a minimum of 80% of the total funding from the 5 programmes, the implications of this are that the North of England and Leeds City Region will be at a funding disadvantage.

The Panel was also informed of the Independent Review of Build out Final report which addressed the gap between housing completions and the land allocated for housing. The Panel also discussed the energy efficiency of housing in the region as well as the possible use of modular housing.                                 

The Panel expressed concerns around the impact that the policy changes could have on the Leeds City Region. The Panel expressed frustration that the policy changes would make it challenging to attract investment and would frustrate the ability to meet the Government’s own housing targets in the region. The Panel was informed that work had been commissioned to address the assumption that the region does not face problems with affordability.

The Panel was also provided with a presentation regarding Homes England and their strategic plan. Homes England acknowledged the difficulties around the targets but suggested that they could work with the Combined Authority to try to maximise potential based on the funding available. It was recognised that the geographic targets only applied to the 5 areas of funding specified and that other funding streams were available. The Panel was informed that a meeting had been scheduled with Tom Walker, Deputy Chief Executive, from Homes England on the 14 February to discuss concerns and access future investment.       

Resolved:

(i)            Note the emerging national housing and planning policy, direction of government and potential implications for the Leeds City Region

(ii)          Support further work to explore closer collaboration between the Combined Authority, districts and Homes England.

(iii)         Note that the Combined Authority has submitted a response to the consultation on ‘Planning Reform: supporting the high street and increasing the delivery of new homes’.

(iv)         Note the details of the submission for One Public Estate Phase 7.

(v)          Note the ongoing actions from the Historic Buildings Strategy Group.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the progress and status of Leeds City Region development plans.

The Panel was informed of an error in the submitted appendix 1 relating to Wakefield’s local plan which had was addressed.

Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the emerging West Yorkshire Local Aggregate Assessment (WY LAA) 2018.

The Panel was informed that the WY LAA was an evidenced based document to assist local authorities in developing their local plans. The document was coordinated by the Combined Authority on behalf of the West Yorkshire Planning authorities. 

The Panel noted that West Yorkshire continued to have a high dependency upon neighbouring authorities for its aggregate needs. The Panel discussed concerns around this dependency and it was suggested that local authorities such as Doncaster and North Yorkshire recognise in their local plan that they are a supplier of aggregates to West Yorkshire.

 The Panel also discussed issues around the transportation of aggregates, particularly the use of rail,      and the need for Local authorities to update the aggregate assessment document regularly.

Resolved: To note the contents of the WY LAA 2018 and to recommend that the respective planning authorities take the WY LAA 2018 through their own approval process.